CAST: The cast fit their roles so well, it was incredible. Yamamoto Yusuke did an amazing job as Tamaki, I was so surprised by just how extra he could be. Daito Shunsuke caught me off guard as Kyoya as well, pulling off the cool and collected character perfectly, but leaving just enough to make you swoon. And the twins were perfect, devilish but adorable. I was happy with how their characters seemed more complex, not happy go lucky blank slates. I found the main cast gave a lot to their roles, to show growth and keep the interest of the viewer. Everyone worked very well together. Kawaguchi Haruna was wonderful of course.
MUSIC: The music and sound effects for this show were very good, however, "friday ma magic" did get slightly old as the theme song. While I absolutely love the song, I wish there had been maybe one more but there is a charm to a limited soundtrack at the same time.
REWATCH VALUE: This show has a very high rewatch value for me simply because it is hilarious, also every episode has a different story, and the cast is so good. Even is you do not think it will be as good as the anime I highly suggest trying at least one or two episodes. Especially since it does not have 20 or more episodes. There are only 11 (plus a movie but it's not NECESSARY to watch that.)
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Acting: The acting in this movie was pretty good. Some scenes seemed a little lackluster while others seemed a bit over the top. That being said, the actors suited their roles well and interacted very well on screen.
Music: The music and sound effects for the movie were what you would expect, nothing too standout. It fit the film well but did not build a whole lot of suspense. I found the lack of background music a little distracting personally.
Rewatch: I personally would not rewatch this. However, die-hard horror fans or Thai movie fans might rewatch this.
Overall: This was an okay movie, not the best and not the worst. I was able to sit through it without getting too bored and the ending was pretty worth it. I wouldn't watch it again, but it does have some rewatch value. It was alright to watch once.
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***The cinematography is absolutely beautiful for the film. There is no doubt that the location is meant to be a hidden wonderland in the real world.***
Acting: This is not the best acting on the parts of the main cast, but it was well suited for the script. I think the actors did their parts as well as they could with what was scripted. The chemistry that develops between Hong Jong Hyun and Jung So Min is a little fast, and it could have benefitted from a few more details but the ending ties up the loose ends well enough before leaving you slightly frustrated.
Musc/Sound Effects: Pretty great! The overall soundtrack, vocal and instrumental, is very nice. It is a soundtrack I would love to download if I could find it. The songs are well placed and even aid in the plot and relationships between characters. The sound effects are very well done. Everything amplifies the experience, creating moments of intense thrill and softer moments of melancholy. This is one of the best features of the film I think.
Rewatch: Honestly, I would rewatch this film multiple times because of everything you can experience and what you can take away each time. This is a film that contains enough hidden details and vague moments that you can understand more each time it is watched. If anything, you should at least watch it once.
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STORY: This story has a lot of awesome potentials and the buildup through the background is great. There's a nice blend of urban legends, death, ghosts, the reality of trust between friends and safety in school. As someone who has read the book and watched the anime, I was able to fly by the movie and not question too much. That being said it can definitely be confusing for some. There are not enough clear explanations, nor is there a lot as far as investigation or stress and pressure from solving the mystery within a certain time frame. It is kind of presented in a blase tone of "oh another student died, maybe we should try to figure it out I guess". The anime was longer and capable of adding more detail and buildup in the story, something a 90 minute or so movie just isn't capable of. There was also quite a bit of filler that didn't need to be there. It's not a bad story though, it was just done in a lackluster way.
**the graphics are not the best, the filming techniques and cinematography are a little more than okay but not great.****
CHARACTERS: These characters could have definitely benefited from some more depth and better acting. Some of the younger actors seemed uncomfortable at first, and I do not think they were given enough time to develop their characters on screen (I blame scripting and movie length). There was a lot of vagueness overall. The older actors were very good but obviously, they are not on screen much because they are not main characters, and that cannot make up for the poor acting in other parts.
MUSIC: The music and sound effects were pretty on point for this movie. Nothing was distracting but amplified the scenes and created buildup. Like many of the Japanese horror movies I have seen, the end theme was a strange pop song with somewhat morbid/dark lyrics. I never understand why people use those rather than just more instrumental but that's just me.
REWATCH: If you're a fan of the novel, manga, or anime you would probably watch this (some fans may end up frustrated). If you feel the need for a horror marathon it's not bad. But honestly, I wouldn't really watch it again. I would rather watch the bloodier and more understandable anime. Some people might like it enough to rewatch though, to each their own.
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ACTING/CAST: Holy crap. There were many actors in this cast and I loved all of them to an extent. I did not hate a single person, even the villains. I will break it down person by person, but I am not going into all of them. Han Hyo Joo (Oh Yeon Joo) is the main female. The only other thing I had seen her in, before W, was Postman to Heaven. I loved her in that movie and I loved her in this show. Her acting fit the character so well, subtle cues that added to a character that could easily be flat. From her interactions with other cast members to portraying different emotions, she did it all in a fairly realistic manner you can connect to- considering the subject matter of the show. For me, she alone deserves a 9 or 10. Now, Lee Jong Suk. I want to say he had a stellar performance, but it was not the best thing ever. I do not think that was him so much as it was the role itself. Kang Chul is, in general, a bit too perfect, a bit too flat. He was not written with the depth I was hoping, but I think Lee Jong Suk put forth as much as he could into the character. I would give him, maybe, an 8 on his own? The romance between Kang Chul and Oh Yeon Joo was a bit too perfect, withstanding all the problems a little too easily, but it was by no means the worst romance I have seen. It was not 100% natural, but I thought it was pretty good. BUT we must talk about Kim Eui Seong. Kim Eui Seong plays Oh Sung Moo (Oh Yeon Joo's father) and I loved his performance. He by far was one of the most complex characters, and Kim Eui Seong's acting throughout the show, no matter what was demanded of him, was simply amazing. I quickly figured out he is an actor I would watch in anything. He is so good at portraying emotion and interacting with his fellow cast. I assume this comes from his being older and having more roles under his belt, but I think he was my favorite in this show. By far, the best performance in the show. He alone would receive a 10/10. The reason I give the overall cast an 8 is because not everyone was a stand out in this show, but I think that was less about the actors and more about the character roles written. They seemed awfully flat and you could tell they were only there because they were needed to push the story at times. Do Yoon (Chul's best friend and bodyguard) was fairly good and I think pushed his character as much as he could considering how it was written, and Soo Hee (Chul's friend and secretary) was not as great as I was hoping. She was a letdown, but again I think I blame the writing.
MUSIC: I really enjoyed this soundtrack. The songs used in the show are pretty recognizable and some get stuck in your head. It was not a soundtrack you end up hating, at least not for me. I actually saved up money and bought the entire soundtrack, which I have only done with a few shows. The best song for me was Without You by N of Vixx and Yeoeun of Melody Day. However, not all the songs are great or memorable, you realize that it was how they were cut and used in the show that made them better, but it is by no means a letdown. I must also mention, the placement and editing of the songs for the show were very well done. They simply added to the moments of the show and made things happier or more heartbreaking depending on the scene in action.
REWATCH: I actually have watched this show twice, once by myself, once all the way with my friends. I also enjoy it if I need a dose of romance or action for the background while doing homework. Many would probably rewatch this show, it definitely has the potential to be rewatched, and it has a bit of everything to appeal to different audiences. I have watched it on my own and with multiple friend groups - all the way and random episodes. But I do think it is a show you have to be in the mood for, It is not something I watched religiously but in binges. This is a very binge-worthy show. But I struggled to watch it week to week while it was airing.
OVERALL: I would give this show a 9/10. It has great acting and a good storyline, but it is not perfect. Many dramas are not perfect, so I have learned not to nitpick but I Think this show did a fairly good job and considering it was much anticipated I did not find it to be disappointing at all. I think many will like this show and should give it a try, especially those who are new to dramaland or want a high production show (think high production like City Hunter or Descendants of the Sun).
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Acting/Cast: I loved many cast members, and hated other characters (there's always at least one lol). Park So Dam was the female lead, and I have never seen her in another show. For me, I really enjoyed her acting and the chemistry she had with Jung Il Woo. She has become a favorite for me. As for Jung Il Woo, I much preferred him in this role than his role in Flower Boy Ramen Shop. The maturity and playfulness were at levels that just seemed more appropriate for him. Ahn Jae Hyun has quickly become a favorite of mine, I loved him as the younger brother in You Who Came From the Stars, and I enjoyed him in this show. However, His relationship with Son Na Eun was overly obnoxious and tiring with the push and pull. Lee Jung Shin played his role very well, acting so perfect and jilted but loyal. I really enjoyed watching him. Choi Min Sung was quite good as well, very subtle nd I think many don't give him enough credit. He was very good. Overall the cast was not bad at all; everyone fit their roles. There were just characters you like, hate, and couldn't care less about.
Music: THIS SHOW HAD A WONDERFUL SOUNDTRACK. I enjoyed the music more than the show I think. I immediately downloaded the OST. The songs are recognizable, even when mixed and altered for different parts of the show. Each song used in te show fits so well, adding rather than distracting. Anyone who knows me knows how important that is. The sound effects that I remember were not too distracting, especially considering I can't remember any in particular.
Rewatch: I would not rewatch this, however, blooper compilations for it are hilarious. If some compilation of good and bad moments in the show came up (how some people put moments together for fan-made music videos? I might watch that). I do know some people enjoy it enough to rewatch all of the show or certain episodes. I would have to be very bored and have nothing else to watch.
Overall: This drama was alright, you love some actors and their characters and get incredibly tired of others. The music is the best part, the story was okay. I wouldn't rewatch this, even for background noise, but I know some will. I would give it about a 7.5.
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The storyline is okay, compared to the jdrama and manga it is kind of weak and (I noticed my first time watching it) somewhat rushed. I didn't feel like I had missed the main story, but some of the finer details that would have made everything a little more realistic - as realistic as a story like this could be.This would have been great as a drama! I think it needed more development but the emphasis of music was fun (except that final song. I hated that.) And it vaguely followed the manga but not really.
Jang Geun Suk was adorable in this film, he acted the part of MoMo really well and I honestly thought he was perfect until I encountered the original. I don't think they could have picked a better Korean actor for the part. The rest of the cast seemed to fade into the background for me and it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the best. Kim Ha Neul was okay; some people complain she is creepy and even the whole idea behind the film is horrible, but I think she emphasized the role of a woman joking and proposing an outlandish idea to get rid of kid and then getting in too deep pretty well. However, I just didn't feel that much chemistry between her and Jang Geun Suk.
If you haven't seen the jdrama version or read the manga you will probably like this. The story is quirky, cute and funny. I loved it until I encountered the originals. I might rewatch this, especially if I want something super cute in a very short amount of time and I think everyone should try it BUT the Japanese version is better in my opinion. That being said, I cannot wait to try out the remake of the Jdrama with 16 episodes.
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The acting was mostly pleasant, a little iffy at times, but never cringe-worthy. This is Kato Koyuki's first main role beyond a few minor parts in shows/films and modelling so it makes sense for her to be awkward at times, especially because stiffness is the main trait of her character Sumire. While she was not the best actress, it is nothing that can"t be ignored. No one was a super stand out star for me except the wonderful Matsumoto Jun, or rather, MoMo. He officially made this show, he was the best character out of everyone (in my opinion.) As much as I want to say I love Jang Geun Suk as MoMo in the Korean version, Matsumoto is the best. The other actors were pleasant enough to watch, especially Sumire's best friend. She was another fun character.
There wasn't too much music involved in the show. When it did occur it had good placement and the dance scenes were fun to watch. I could sense the passion and found them interesting, especially with it being more contemporary and expressive dancing.
Overall, I really loved this show even with its few flaws. It is also very rewatchable. I would reccommend this show to many people. There is also no weird feeling that makes you question Sumire's intentions with MoMo, something many complain about with the Korean film as being creepy. I think you should definitely watch this if you have time to kill, want something cute, have read the manga, or want to compare versions even. I'm also looking forward to watching the 16 episode Japanese remake, hopefully they can flesh the story out more.
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The acting was pretty good. Nothing seemed exaggerated or sub-par. I didn't really find any new favorites but I didn't hate any of the cast members. They filled their roles well and seemed to work together well; there were no awkward moments or insincere times that I could catch.
As for music, it wasn't bad, but it was not stand out either. it seemed to be sort of your typical horror music to build suspense or draw attention to scenes. The sound effects fit well and nothing was distracting. I found it to be just "alright".
This movie could be rewatched, but I probably won't rewatch it. This would be good for Japanese movie fans and horror fans - it would be good to watch and compare to the American counterpart. For anyone wondering about my score, I have also seen the American version and I like this version better but I"m not a huge fan of either one. I would say it is good to watch once, especially if you have nothing else to watch. That being said, I will finish the series just so I can say I have seen them all. I might like the others better.
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The story is based on a manga so the show is not 100% original, but it is very good and was (in my opinion) very well done. While the Korean version focuses more on the sports and love triangle aspects, the Japanese story had more aspects to it, even with less episodes. While sports and romance are a part of this show, there is also an incredible emphasis put on friendship and growing up. I found this to be much more enjoyable. The show also utilizes the "extra characters" much more, showing how each person interacts. Of course, seeing as this is manga based there were over the top and exaggerated moments, but that added to its charm. There are the moments of heartbreak, disappointment and angst that seemed to fill the To the Beautiful You (Korean) and parts of the manga, but Hana Kimi highlighted more of the shenanigans and trouble high school boys and friends get into. I felt more of a draw to continue watching Hana Kimi and liked it more than its Korean counterpart.
The acting is what made this show a stand out for me. I found new favorite actors and was delighted with a couple of my well-known favorites that appeared too. Everyone played their parts so well and interacted with each other in the best manner possible. You can identify with struggles and with the passion they have. Each actor fills their role to the max and is on point completely. Not to mention there is not one ugly person in this show; it's eye-candy galore. No wonder they're known as the "hottie school".
For the amount of music in the show, it was not bad. The opening theme was a lot of fun and gets stuck in your head. I even downloaded it. However, I grew tired of the end theme fairly quick. The sound effects for the show were not bad at all, they were well-suited and did not draw unneeded attention. The few random shows throughout the episodes were fun as well, adding to the humor.
As for rewatching? I would totally rewatch this show and with it's length it wouldn't be hard to do so either. Rewatching would be a very good idea if you want to watch the performance of different actors/actresses each time, especially since it would be just as fun and enjoyable as the first watching.
Overall this was my favorite version of the show and I loved it for many reasons, the only thing that keeps it from having a perfect score is a little bit of a cliffhanger ending. That is supposedly addressed in the special though, so no big deal. I definitely think everyone should give this a show, especially if you have read the manga of seen one of the other versions. Nothing beats the original. :)
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The acting with this film was as expected, although the actress that reprises her role as Saeki Kayako (Fuji Takako) improved as far as body movements go. While her expressions and sounds have always been creepy, she utilized her body movements to create even more atmosphere with her character. Each actor and actress worked well within the characters they took on, but no one was a stand out star or super memorable - with the exception of Fuji Takako.
The music and sound effects were not much different from the previous films, but with a franchise known for certain key noises that can be expected, The placement of noises worked just fine, and effectively created suspenseful moments and built up the film's atmosphere; I enjoyed the actual song with lyrics during the end credits. It was refreshing compared to the other films with only instrumentals.
As for rewatch value, it is rewatchable. How often, of course, depends upon the person. I would watch it again after a little bit, especially because I am a huge horror fan. Every once in a while sounds about right, but not right away. If you like horror movies, want to see the Japanese counterpart to the Ju-On franchise, or even just feel the need to watch something a little spooky I would suggest this.
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ACTING: The acting was about as expected. No one stood out as extraordinary, but no one was horrible. There were more children involved but they were not awkward like some may fear. The cast was suitable for the movie.
MUSIC: Once again, there was not much music involved. The few tracks that were used were okay, typical horror music. The sound effects were not as good in this film; sounds did not always match with actions (that may be because my copy was very old - vcr tape format converted to digital). Perhaps, it is because I have watched the newer American versions as well, but the sound effects are even at times overdone - but the film is old and some older films do that.
REWATCH VALUE: I personally wouldn't really rewatch this one for a long time, perhaps if I was doing a marathon, but eventually I would. However, die hard horror fans might rewatch it often.
OVERALL: The movie was okay. I found it to be a little bit of a let down; I only jumped once. The idea behind it is great but wasn't executed as fully as I would wish for it to be, I may rewatch it once more to see if I missed anything crucial that could make it better. BUT IT WAS NOT TERRIBLE. Just OKAY. I think if you're a horror fan, especially Japanese horror, you should try it.
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STORY: Honestly, this is in a way just another ghost film. So the story is not 100% new, there are other movies about ghosts and possessed or haunted homes. BUT this movie does unique things with the story, focusing on the connections between people and places, rather than focusing on a singular person or place in a static manner. Everything ties together and has reasoning, making it not only horror and suspense but a little bit of a mystery as well. There are six stories within this first installment and each are equally entertaining. the suspense is there though it is more subtle than it's later English language counterpart. The film was made in the early 2000's and shows its older age with overall video quality, certain camera angles, and clothing but those things do not distract from the movie.
ACTING: The acting is not superb, I do not remember anyone as a stand out award winning actor. However, no one was bad. The dialogue shows some dating at times, but that is just because of the age of the film. Some characters are immediately recognizable and others are less memorable. Everyone seemed to suit their roles just fine, and I did not grow tired of anyone or hate any of the performances.
MUSIC: There was not much music in this film to begin with. What little music that exists in the film is well placed and does not distract from or dilute any of the performances or scenes. The sound effects were not as well pronounced and obvious as with the newer versions (this could be because of the older quality or the understated qualities that build suspense, I personally think both cases are true). The sound effects are well placed and really were one of the creepiest aspects of the film.
REWATCH VALUE: This film is not that long, approximately one and a half hours. With the six "mini-stories" time quickly passes. The film was enjoyable and creepy as well. These could make it a very rewatchable movie or a movie one only watches very so often - it depends on personal taste. Some may be bored, others may be too scared, others may love it. I honestly would watch it again. Actually, I hope I can find a better quality on dvd to own!
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